The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) will mark the 20th anniversary of  the creation of the association by the Federal Government, on February 27. As part of the activities to mark the event, FTAN will honour some individuals that have contributed to the growth and development of the federation. In the beginning, tourism was under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the then Minister of Commerce and Industry, Rear Admiral Sunday Areola, decided to set up a committee to look into the formation of an umbrella body for tourism practitioners in the country. The committee was headed by Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi, while Mr. Jemi Alade was the secretary.

Mr. Jemi Alade spoke on why FTAN was formed: “There were so many associations then. Everybody was approaching the government for one thing or the other. The minister saw the need for these tourism activities to be co-ordinated and to bring the practitioners together under one umbrella to approach government with one voice, instead different tourism associations seeking attention the same time.

“The committee sat and worked with interested parties and agreed on having a federation. The inaugural meeting was held in Abuja at the office of the then permanent secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Tukur Mani. Mani was the engine room. He had so much passion for tourism and was the one pushing the government to put the industry in order. About 10 associations, I think, were among the initial members. They included National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Nigerian Hoteliers Association (NHA), Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), National Association of Tourism Boat Operators and Water Transporters (NATBOWAT) and few others.”

It was after the committee completed its work and submitted a report to Mani that FTAN was created. Speaking also on the creation of the association,  veteran travel writer, Mr. Frank Meke, narrated how FTAN came into existence.

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He said: “FTAN was created about 20 years ago to serve as formidable body to represent the different private sector tourism associations. The industry was growing and there was a need to form an all-embracing federation that would cater for members and interface with the federal government. Among those present at the inaugural meeting were Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi, Mr. Tarzan Balogun, Mr. Jemi Alade, Prince Ayo Oresajo, Mr. Keshinro, Dr. Frank Adejuwon, myself and some others. The meeting that gave birth to the association was held at Alhaji Tukur Mani’s office, where Mrs. Ezeobi became the interim president, with Mr. Jemi Alade as secretary.”

Current FTAN president, Alhaji Karim Saleh Rabo, while speaking on the anniversary, said it was very important for the federation to mark the milestone. He said the association was mindful of the role the individuals to be honoured played in the recent past and it was only proper that they should be recognised at this auspicious occasion. He said the awardees were just the first set, as FTAN would honour the second group later in the year.

The award is in three categories. Those to be honoured in the ‘A’ category are: Rear Admiral Isaac Sunday Areola, Alhaji Tukur Mani, Mrs. Theresa Ezeobi, Dr. Franklin Adejuwon, Mr. Goodie Ibru, Mr. Charles Abel, Chief Mike Amachree, Alhaji Wada Yinusa, Mr. Tarzan Balogun, Chief Frank Nneji, Mr. Ogbeni Tope-Awe, Mr. Jemi Alade, Alhaji Munzali Dantata, Otunba Segun Runsewe, Chief Samuel Alabi, Chief Tomi Akingbogun, Mr. Ikechi Uko, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Mr. Charles Ukomadu. Category ‘B’ award recipients are some “corporate friends” of FTAN and they include Eko Hotel & Suites, Sheraton Hotel, Hotel Rosebud, and Nanet Suites.

The ‘C’ category covers the posthumous awards for service to FTAN. The recipients include the late Mr. Matts Ebhaboje Da’Silva, Dr. Kingsley Onuoha, Apagun Oluwole Olumide, and Madam Grace Bentu.